Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Solar Energy News .




SOLAR DAILY
Don't Keep Your Insurer in the Dark about Your Solar Panels
by Staff Writers
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 25, 2013


Always read the fine print and double check your inclusions and exclusions.

When you invest in solar panels for your house, you can count on these things: You will cut your monthly energy bill, and you will increase the market value of your home.

Count on some other things, too. You will increase the replacement value of your home. One 2011 study found that, on average, a 3.1-kilowatt solar system added about $17,000 to a home's value. And it also makes it more desirable to prospective buyers if you put it on the market.

What it all means is that you'll need to talk to your homeowners insurance agent. The premium for your policy is based in part on how much it would cost to rebuild your home if it were destroyed by covered perils including fire and wind. It also protects you in case of break-ins and other specified events.

As for reporting the presence of a solar system, you'd need to do the same if you added a deck or replaced the roof or installed granite countertops. Anytime you do something to increase a home's value, you're increasing the amount it would take to rebuild that home.

That means you'll need more coverage for your home. You'll need to talk to your agent to determine your next step. While some carriers won't insure homes with solar panels because they worry about the added liability, most will cover you for the new value of the home.

Even if your carrier has no problems with solar panels, it might be a good time to shop your coverage with multiple providers. You might get a better rate and, even more importantly, better coverage through comparison shopping. While contacting carriers might seem tedious, check out a website such as IRED.com to request multiple quotes from several highly rated carriers, as well as help evaluating them.

While this means that you could wind up paying for coverage, it is important not to hide your system from your insurance carrier. According to some experts, more than a quarter of all denied claims are due to policyholders withholding changes they've made to their home or lifestyles.

The extra money you will pay on your premium will be worth it should you have to file a claim. You'll sleep better knowing that the solar system that's saving money on your energy bill is fully protected along with the rest of your house.

.


Related Links
IRED.com
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








SOLAR DAILY
Solar System to be installed at Davos Congress Centre
Davos, Switzerland (SPX) Jan 25, 2013
The municipality of Davos - and the World Economic Forum - are taking another big step towards a "Greener Davos", thanks to high-efficiency Q CELLS solar modules sponsored by Hanwha Q CELLS. A photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 340 Kilowatt Peak (kWp) will be installed on the 1,000 square meter rooftop of the Davos Congress Centre and the adjoining swimming pool and create enough ener ... read more


SOLAR DAILY
Fuel Choices and How They Affect Car Insurance

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visits Renmatix for commissioning of plant to sugar BioFlex Conversion Unit

Photovoltaics beat biofuels at converting sun's energy to miles driven

Marginal lands are prime fuel source for alternative energy

SOLAR DAILY
Robofish Grace glides with the greatest of ease

Nexter joins robot development business

Game on: European student codes reach ISS

Robot Spheres in zero-gravity action

SOLAR DAILY
Japan plans world's largest wind farm

China revs up wind power amid challenges

Algonquin Power Buys 109 MW Shady Oaks Wind Power Facility

British group pans wind farm compensation

SOLAR DAILY
European collaboration to prepare European electricity networks for influx of electric vehicles

Does everyone think someone else should drive a green car?

Lexus to launch hybrid sedan in Japan, Europe

Jeep to build cars in China with GAC

SOLAR DAILY
Controversial Keystone pipeline passes another hurdle

Doubling Down on Energy Efficiency

Ecology minister rushes back to France over gas leak

China-Myanmar pipelines to open in June: Xinhua

SOLAR DAILY
Britain says it is looking at sale of stake in Urenco

Japan proposes new nuclear safety rules

Egypt announces uranium discoveries

India, Australia to start nuclear energy talks

SOLAR DAILY
United States lags in clean energy: study

Renewable energy on increase but 2030 target in doubt

First world atlas on renewable energy launched

Major cuts to surging CO2 emissions are needed now, not down the road

SOLAR DAILY
Climate change's effects on temperate rain forests surprisingly complex

Trading wetlands no longer a deal with the devil

Study Finds Severe Climate Jeopardizing Amazon Forest

Savanna study highlights African fuelwood crisis




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement